diff --git a/src/overlay.js b/src/overlay.js
index 61f5fa88..a0712096 100644
--- a/src/overlay.js
+++ b/src/overlay.js
@@ -132,11 +132,17 @@
         this.element = options.element;
         this.elementWrapper.appendChild(this.element);
 
+        // Create the overlay wrapper
+        this.elementWrapper = document.createElement('div');
+        this.elementWrapper.appendChild(this.element);
+
+        // Assign a unique ID only if the overlay element has an id
         if (this.element.id) {
             this.elementWrapper.id = "overlay-wrapper-" + this.element.id;
-        } else {
-            this.elementWrapper.id = "overlay-wrapper";
         }
+        // Always add a class for styling and selection purposes
+        this.elementWrapper.className = "openseadragon-overlay-wrapper";
+
 
         this.style = this.elementWrapper.style;
         this._init(options);